Local child care providers were recognized this week for their hard work over the last year. Child Care Connections recognized It Takes a Village child care center in Kings Mountain and Karen Bradley's Home Day Care as the child care providers of the year. "Our providers are rated by the state based on their level of training, star ratings and experience," said Shermunda Lawrence, director of provider services at Child Care Connections. Child Care Connections provides training and other resources to day cares and child services across Cleveland County. Every year it picks one center and one home provider to be its providers of the year.